Magnetic switch-operating mechanism.



m. s3s,sa|. Patented Dec; 5, I899.

T. r. GREEN, MAGNETIC SWITCH OPERATING MECIIAIIISI.

(Application flbd Oct. 5, 1899.) (No-lodel.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS F. GREEN, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

MAGNETIC SWITCH-OPERATING MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 638.631, dated December5, 1899.

Application filed October 5, 1899. Serial No. 732,669. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS F. GREEN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inMagnetic Switch- Operating Mechanism; and I do hereby declarethe-following to be afull, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

This invention has relation to switch-operating mechanism chieflydesigned for streetrailways, but which may be used in connection withrailroads of any character.

The purpose of the invention is to combine with the carmagnets-permanent or electromagnetic-disposed to attract the switchpointand under control of the motorman, so as to be thrown into or out ofaction, one magnet being arranged to move the switch-point to the rightand the other to throw it to the left.

Genera1ly,tl1e invention consists of two magnets applied to the car andlocated upon opposite sides of the switch-point and means for raisingand lowering the magnets, said operating means being by preferenceconstructed to move the magnets simultaneously in opposite directions toprevent the lowering of both at the same time.

Specifically, the invention consists of a tilt-' ing beam or bar appliedto the forward portion of the car and having a magnet at each end andmeans for turning the beam upon its fulcrum and holding it in therequired position.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and alsoto acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means foreffecting the result reference is to be had to the following descriptionand the drawings hereto attached.

While the essential and characteristic features of the invention arenecessarily susceptible of modification, still the preferred em bodimentof the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-Figure 1 is a perspective View of the forward portion of a car andswitch, showing the invention in operative relation. Fig. 2 is a frontview. Fig. 3 is a plan view.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the samereference characters.

The car 1 may be of any mechanically-propelled type and the switch 2 ofordinary construction, both being shown to illustrate the application ofthe invention. The switchpoint 3 is mounted for free movement at itsswinging end and is clear of all positive connections with its operatingmechanism.

The magneticswitch mechanism is applied to-the front portion of the car1 well in advance of the forward wheels, so as to throw the switch, whenrequired, prior to the entrance of the said wheels upon the switch. Themagnets 4 and 5, preferably electromagnetic, are located beneath thefloor or platform of the car and upon opposite sides of the switch-point3 and are vertically movable to be thrown into and out of position foractuating the switch. YVhen the car is propelled by electromotive power,the electromagnets will be energized by the electric current derivedfrom the feed-wire or conductor, aswitch (not shown) being pro ided tothrow them into and out of circuit. The lilting beam or bar 6 is locatedhorizontally beneath the platform of the car, and the magnets 4 and 5are attached thereto upon opposite sides of its pivotal center. Thisbeam is adapted to be turned uponits pivot to throw one of the magnetsup and the other down, and any means for effecting this end may beprovided, and, as shown, a lever 7 is connected by a link 8 with thebeam, and for convenience a bar 9 is attached to the lever and extendswithin convenient reach of the motorman for operation, said bar 9 havingmeans for holding it in any one of three p0 sitions, according as themagnets are out of action or either one is lowered.

If the magnets 4. and 5 are of the electro type, they will be energizedupon the car approaching the switch to be thrown, and the beam 6 isrocked to throw one or the other of the magnets into position to attractthe switch-point and open or close the switch, as required. The magnetsmust be of such strength as to cause the switch-point to move instantlyby a snap-like action, so as to set the switch in advance of the forwardWheels.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimedas new is 1.Meansapplied toacarforsettingaswitch consisting of magnets located tocome upon opposite sides of the switch-point or movable part, and meansfor moving the magnets vertically to bring the switch-point or movablepart Within their magnetic field, substantially as described.

2. Meansappliedtoacarforsettingaswitch consisting of magnets located tocome upon opposite sides of the switch-point or movable part, and meansfor simultaneously moving the magnets vertically in opposite directionsto prevent their action upon the switch-point or movable part at thesame time, substantially as set forth.

3. Means applied to acar for setting a switch consisting of magnetslocated to come upon opposite sides of the switch-point or movable part,and a tilting beam having the magnets attached thereto upon oppositesides of its pivotal support, substantially as specified.

4:. Means applied to a car for settinga switch consisting of magnetslocated to come upon opposite sides of the switch-point or movable part,a tilting beam having themagnets at-- tached to their opposite endportions, and means for turningthe beam upon its pivot and holding it inthe required position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS F. GREEN. [L. s.] lVitnesses:

O. M. IAMS, H. W. WATTS.

